Crown of Deception

Chapter Twenty-Two

As Dalia and Cesar strolled through the garden, the soft rustle of leaves and the delicate scent of blooming flowers filled the air. The morning sun bathed the meticulously tended paths in a warm glow, casting soft shadows across the riot of colors unfurling around them. The garden was alive with the hues of spring—lavender, gold, soft pinks, and deep crimsons—the vibrant petals swaying in the gentle breeze. It was their sanctuary, a brief moment of escape from the demands of court life, where Dalia could simply breathe and forget the troubles that weighed on her mind.

"The flowers in the garden are starting to bloom," Dalia remarked softly, her voice almost blending into the sounds of the garden, the quiet tranquility seeping into her bones. These walks had become more than just a habit; they were a cherished ritual, a time when the world beyond the garden walls seemed to fade away, leaving just her and Cesar. She glanced at him, her knight and confidant, walking by her side with his usual calm and protective presence.

But just as a sense of peace settled over her, the serene atmosphere was pierced by a sharp voice, startling her out of the moment.

"Cesar!"

Her father's voice rang out, cutting through the garden's tranquility like a sword slicing through silk. Dalia's heart skipped a beat, her pulse quickening as she spun around, her eyes immediately locking onto her father's figure. He was striding toward them, his face etched with an intensity she hadn't seen in some time. The normally unshakable calm in his demeanor was replaced by a deep worry, his brow furrowed and lips drawn tight.

Concern washed over Dalia as she stepped toward him, her voice steady but laced with apprehension. "What is it, Father?" she asked, trying to keep her worry at bay.

Her father stopped before them, his gaze flickering between Dalia and Cesar. His sigh was heavy, laden with the weight of what he was about to say. "We have received troubling news from the neighboring kingdom," he began, his tone grave. "Tensions are escalating, and the Emperor has issued a decree. All the knights are to be sent to the battlefield."

Dalia's breath caught in her throat, her eyes widening as the words sank in like stones. Fear surged through her chest, gripping her heart. "Father... but that means... you will have to go as well? And Cesar?" The thought of her father, the pillar of strength who had always been there for her, leaving for battle sent a chill down her spine. And Cesar, who had stood by her through every storm, her closest confidant and protector—how could she bear to see him leave?

Her father's expression softened, but sorrow filled his eyes. His hand, rough with years of duty and service, reached out to gently grasp her arm. "It is the Emperor's decree," he said quietly, though his voice carried the weight of inevitability. "The safety of the kingdom depends on the bravery of its knights. This is not a burden we can ignore."

The garden around Dalia, once vibrant and alive, now seemed muted, its colors fading as the shadow of conflict loomed. The delicate petals, which moments ago had brought her peace, now felt distant, irrelevant in the face of what lay ahead. She could barely focus on the beauty surrounding her as her mind raced with the implications of what her father had just said.

"When will you leave?" she whispered, her throat tightening with the effort to hold back her rising dread. The question hung in the air like a fragile thread, barely audible, yet laden with fear and uncertainty.

The fear of being left alone gnawed at Dalia, threatening to consume her entirely. If it hadn't been for Cesar, she knew she wouldn't have survived these past months. Night after night, she was plagued by nightmares and panic attacks that jolted her from sleep, propelling her into the garden where, time and time again, she had come dangerously close to taking her own life. The weight of it all pressed down on her, suffocating.

"Tonight," her father's voice echoed in her ears, pulling her from her spiraling thoughts. Panic surged through her. "What about the territory? You can't just pack up and leave in a day!" Her voice trembled, the idea of him leaving so soon unraveling her fragile sense of stability.

Her father turned to her, pride gleaming in his eyes, though his expression remained firm. "Dalia, you will be in charge until I return."

His words hit her like a punch to the chest. The ground seemed to tilt beneath her as she struggled to breathe, overwhelmed by the weight of responsibility that had just been thrust upon her. "I will go inform the other knights of the duchy," he said, and with that, he turned and left, leaving her alone in the garden with Cesar.

"Cesar!" Dalia's voice broke as tears began to blur her vision. "You have to protect my father! He's old, he won't be able to fight. Please, promise me!" Desperation clawed at her as she moved closer, grabbing Cesar's shoulders. Her body began to shake uncontrollably at the thought of losing someone close to her again. The idea of death, so close and inevitable, clouded her mind.

Cesar, calm as ever, gently took hold of her arm. His gaze was steady, his red eyes glowing faintly in the fading light, drawing her in. There was something about the way he looked at her that quieted the storm inside. Slowly, he pulled her into his embrace. "I will protect the Duke," he whispered against her hair, his voice soft but resolute, "even if it means risking my own life."

The reassurance in his words grounded her, though the fear still lingered. "Let's head inside," he said, extending his arm for her to take. She clung to him, finding some semblance of peace in his presence.

The manor was a frenzy of activity. Servants rushed through the hallways, preparing for the knights' departure. The reality of it all hit Dalia like a cold wind—the knights were leaving, and everything was about to change.

"Sir Cesar!" A maid hurried over to them, making them pause. "Would you like the maids to start packing your belongings?"

Before Cesar could respond, another voice cut through. "Where are you going?" Alicia's sharp voice came from behind the maid, filled with suspicion and urgency.

Cesar answered the maid first, his tone calm, as if nothing could shake him. "Yes, if you could pack some essentials, I would appreciate it."

But Alicia wouldn't be ignored. "Cesar! Answer me. Where are you going?" Her voice had risen, anger bubbling up.

Dalia stepped forward, tired of Alicia's incessant questioning, but before she could take more than a few steps, Alicia's hand grabbed her arm, stopping her. "Where is he going!" Alicia demanded, her expression fierce.

Dalia turned, meeting Alicia's gaze head-on. "All the knights of the kingdom have been called to war," she said coldly, fighting back the tears that threatened to surface again. "Cesar and my father will leave tonight with the others."

Alicia's face twisted, her anger shifting into something else—greed. It was as though Dalia could see the calculations running through her mind. "If Uncle is leaving, who will take care of the territory?" Alicia asked, her tone already laced with ambition.

Dalia's heart hardened. She had once considered Alicia a sister, but seeing her now, that illusion shattered. "I will be taking care of the territory in my father's absence," Dalia replied, her voice steady, though every fiber of her being burned with the fury of Alicia's audacity.

"No!" Alicia snapped, stepping closer, her expression wild. "You can't do that. You aren't stable enough for that! I'll speak to Uncle! He can't leave someone like you in charge!"

Dalia's eyes narrowed, and she stepped even closer to Alicia, lowering her voice until it was almost a whisper. "I am my father's heir," she said, her tone laced with quiet fury. "And nothing an orphan says will change his mind."

The words hung between them, sharp and unyielding. Dalia had allowed Alicia to roam the manor, to behave as if she were family as if she had a legitimate place in their world. But that was about to change.

"What color dress would you like, My Lady?" A maid's voice interrupted the charged moment. Dalia's gaze shifted, cold and unbothered by the chaos around her.

"A green dress with gold lining," she answered, her mind already moving ahead, past Alicia and all the doubts she had sown. She walked past Alicia, leaving her behind as she stepped out of the bathroom, ready to embrace the responsibilities that awaited her.